Guidance

Mrs. Prusinski School Counselor

Welcome to the Intermediate Guidance Pages! The links on the left will lead you to information and news about our school, guidance classes, groups, resources and many additional items that you might find useful. Just like me, the pages are a work in progress and any questions you may have regarding any of the information found here can be easily answered by giving me a call at 570-876-2263 or sending me an email at lprusinski@valleyviewsd.org My door is always open, and I look forward to working with you!

SAP (Student Assistance Team) Initial Referral Form

The Student Assistance Program is a state-mandated K-12 program designed to assist school personnel in identifying issues including alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, and mental health issues which pose a barrier to a student's success. It is a method for trained school personnel to intervene and refer these students to appropriate school and community services, as well as appropriately following up after the referral.

Anyone may make a SAP referral. Referrals may be made anonymously except in the case of teachers or staff. It is expected that teachers and staff identify themselves when making a referral when working in their professional capacity. The referral source is confidential and not shared with the student. Why do I refer? Use the acronym "HELP" to remember what SAP is for: H - Home Issues E - Emotional/behavioral Issues L - Lifestyle Changes (Changes in family structure) P - Performance/Physical Changes

Instructional Support Team

10 months ago

The Instructional Support Team is designed to assist our students who may be struggling with academic and/or behavioral issues. A student may be referred to the team by staff or parent/guardians. The team is comprised of professional staff which may include the principal, school counselor, teacher/s, school psychologist, nurse, academic specialist, special education representative, as well as agency representatives if necessary, and the parent/guardian. The purpose of the team is to look for avenues of intervention in order to support the student and allow the child to function at the top of their ability level.

So, how does a student get referred to IST? If you feel your child is struggling, please first contact your student's teacher to discuss your concerns. Often, opening a dialogue with your child's teacher can alleviate the need to proceed further. If however, the concerns continue, please contact the school counselor to schedule an IST meeting. The second way a child may be referred is if a teacher or staff member communicates a concern to the school counselor. As in the case of parent/guardian referral, the teacher or staff member has also communicated his/her concerns to the parent/guardian and worked to resolve them prior to making the counselor contact. If however, the concerns continue and the child is referred to IST, you will be contacted by the counselor to schedule a convenient meeting.

Parents/guardians play a significant role on this team. As experts on their child, they provide invaluable insight into the individual's strengths, weaknesses, motivations, medical needs, culture, backgrounds, and so much more. By working together, hand in hand, we hope to provide each student with the necessary supports to allow them to grow.

Should you have questions about this process or you would like to make a referral, please feel free to contact me.

Mrs. P :)

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Community Referrals

10 months ago

Community Counselors/Therapists/Psychologists/Psychiatrists

Biliski Counseling and autism services, LLC

142 N. Main St. Moscow

570-780-5004

MichelleBilski.LPC@gmail.com

Dr. Joel Cahn, Psychologist

421 S. State St., Clarks Summit

570-585-4262

Melissa Cottone, BA., LPC, BCBA

321 Spruce Street, Scranton

570-507-9273

www.cottonetherapy.com

Dr. William Dougherty, Counselor

301 West Grove Street, Clarks Summit

doughertypsyd.webs.com/

doughertypsyd@safe-mail.net

570-480-6140/ 570-587-2273

Dr. Anthony Galdieri, Psychologist

321 Spruce Street, Suite 4, Scranton

570-342-7582

Dr. Tiffany Griffiths, Integrated Psychological Services/Counseling

502 North Blakley St., Dunmore

www.drtiffanygriffiths.com

office@drtiffanygriffiths.com

570-342-8434/570-343-6838

Dr. Chet Muklewicz, Psychologist

1030 Marion Street, Scranton

www.drchetm.com/

DrChetM@aol.com

570-961-0600/570-342-7582

Dr Palmiter, Counseling/Psychotherapy

304 Royal Oaks Drive, Clarks Summit

www.helpingfamilies.com

Dr. Ronald Refice and Associates, Psychiatrist

650 Boulevard Avenue, Scranton

570-383-2799

Dr. Gerald Solfanelli, Psychologist

1141 Clay Avenue, Dunmore

www.freewebs.com/psych11

AGENCY SERVICES

Aaron Center, Pediatric and Adult Therapy Services

851 Commerce Blvd. #107, Dickson City

www.aaroncenter.com

570-489-5561

Advanced Community Service Associates, Psychology Services

1141 Clay Avenue, Scranton

570-207-7919 & 570-963-2079

Family Enrichment Center, Counseling and Therapy Services

541 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton

www.familyenrichmentcenterpc.com

famrch@aol.com

570-342-4665

NHS Human Services

30-32 North Main Street, Carbondale

www.nhsonline.org

570-282-1732

Scranton Counseling Center

326 Adams Avenue, Scranton

570-348-6100

*student clients of SCC may be serviced here at school by SCC therapist Kristen

Youth Advocate Program

1418 Main Street #101, Peckville

www.yapinc.org

570-489-1609

A full listing of Lackawanna Drug and Alcohol and Mental Health Agencies can be viewed at: www.lackawannainfo.org

Crisis Management Services

The Advocacy Alliance

570-342-7762

NHS human Services of NEPA

570-282-1732

Scranton Counseling Center

570-348-6100

Voluntary Action Center (VAC) of Northeastern PA

570-347-5616 24/7 Helpline

*******Or the closest Hospital Emergency Room!!

**The information included here is informational in nature. It is a courtesy provided to assist parents/guardians in contacting community resources. It is not meant to be exhaustive in nature, and those listed are not affiliated with Valley View School District. Payment is the sole responsibility of the parent/guardian

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Tutors

10 months ago

***Please be aware that the tutors listed below are Private Pay and not part of Valley View School District's services or responsibility. Thank you!

Al Callejas Elementary Teacher Cell 570-650-9858, School 570-489-7579

Marisa Callejas Intermediate Teacher Cell 570-575-4173, School 570-876-2263

Tim Callejas Intermediate Teacher Cell 570-877-4124, School 570-876-2263

Kristine Casarella Intermediate Teacher School 570-876-

2263, kcasarella@valleyviewsd.org

Kyle Davis Intermediate Teacher Cell 570-903-5280, kyledavis@valleyviewsd.org

Jamie Lastauskas Intermediate Teacher Cell 570-241-6085

Meghan Mileski Intermediate Teacher School 570-876-2263

Jennifer Munley Sp. Education Teacher Cell 570-499-7943, jmunley@valleyviewsd.org

Jill Pierson Sp. Education Teacher Cell 570-872-6584

Sue Scanlon Intermediate Teacher Cell 570-313-0604, School 570-876-2263

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I can't go to school. My stomach hurts

10 months ago

Have you experienced multiple weekends with everyone healthy until Sunday night or Monday morning when you hear "Mom/Dad I can't go to school, my stomach hurts?" If you have, you're not alone. Many children experience anxiety about going to school. You can help your child overcome these feelings by taking the following steps:

GO TO THE DOCTOR - The reason behind this is two-fold. One, to rule out a medical concern. Our primary issue is to make sure your child is not in need of medical attention. Two, to support the mind/body connection. When we have ruled out a medical issue, we can reassure the student that the physical discomfort they are experiencing is due to anxiety.
VALIDATE THE PAIN - The physical discomfort is real. Our bodies react physically to stress, real or perceived. Talk to your child about how the body reacts to stress.

· EXPLAIN ANXIETY - Discuss issues that can cause feelings of anxiety. The underlying reasons for this can range from separation anxiety, fear for the safety of themselves or a family member while apart, fear of vomiting in school, performance anxiety, and fear of peer rejection to name a few. Talk with your child about times you experience anxiety and what works for you in reducing those feelings. Please keep in mind that everyone is different and what works for you may not work for them.

· AVOID KEEPING THEM HOME - As parents we want to protect our kids from the difficulties that they may face in life, but realize by allowing them to avoid the situation you are in fact making it worse by not assisting them in developing coping strategies to overcome difficulties.

· GET HELP - If these difficulties persist, seek professional assistance. Your pediatrician and or school counselor can assist you in finding professional help. Please feel free to contact lprusinski@valleyviewsd.org, or see the community referral link on the left of this page for some resources.

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Meet the Counselor

10 months ago

Mrs. Prusinski

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Hello, my name is Linda Prusinski, and I am the school counselor at Valley View Intermediate School. I have been a certified K - 12 counselor since 1991, and have worked here at the Intermediate School since 2002. I am a resident of Valley View School District and proud mother of two VV graduates.

I am committed to assisting our students develop socially/emotionally, to achieve academically, and to identify their personal interest and strengths so that they may explore the world of career oportunities. With that in mind, I conduct guidance classes periodically during your child's library encore rotation. Throughout the year, I will also be conducting informal small groups on specific skills. Short term individual supportive counseling is also available as needed, as well as crisis/emergency care. Please be aware that my services are not a substitute for therapy. I am always happy to provide a list of community resources to address those needs. Additionally, group and individual support services require parental/guardian permision.

As the school counselor, I am also directly involved with our Instructional Support Team and our Student Assistance Program. For more information on those, please see the corresponding tags in the navigation area on the left.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have. I may be reached via phone at 570-876-2263 or by email lprusinski@valleyviewsd.org. I look forward to getting to know you!

Respectfully,

Mrs. P :)

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